Hybrid belt assembly

ABSTRACT

This invention comprises a body belt, a subassembly for holding, superposed on the former, a buckle disposed closely to one extremity of the body belt, a snap hook disposed closely to the other extremity, a first strap having an array of loops or hooks and having a length that is one-half the length of the body belt is superposed on the subassembly for holding and starts in proximity of the snap hook; and a second strap having an array different from the array of the first strap. The second strap, equal in size to the first strap, is superposed on and starts from an end of the subassembly for holding. The hybrid belt assembly is adaptable, when used as a dip belt, to work in conjunction with a chain-load subassembly comprising a chain and weight(s), the former being attachable to the buckle and snap hook.

I. BODYGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to weightlifting and dip belts and, more specifically, to a hybrid belt assembly built to be used as either as a weightlifting belt or as a dip belt.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A weightlifting belt has two main purposes. It reduces stress on the lower body while the person is lifting and prevents body hyperextension during overhead lifts. A belt reduces low body stress by compressing the contents of the abdominal cavity. This increases the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), providing more support in front of the bones of the lower body. Another benefit of increased IAP is a reduction in the amount of spinal shrinkage (lower body compression) a lifter may experience during circuit weight training.

A dip belt is used for adding weight to a user when performing dips and chin-ups, thus assisting in exercising the triceps, back and chest muscles.

A material that is often used for weightlifting belts is leather. A leather belt does not flex enough to be fully adjustable or comfortable to the waist. Another disadvantage resides in the fact that leather is relatively expensive when compared to man made materials, such as nylon or polypropylene. Yet another disadvantage is that leather does age, crack and become worn out rather quickly when used frequently. They also can not be easily washed without sustaining damage. A weightlifting belt of man made material is easily contoured to fit properly by molding around a user's body, thus providing superior comfort and support.

Hybrid belt assembly using self-engaging straps of loop-and-hook or Velcro® type, according to this invention, is continuously adjustable so that one size of hybrid belt assembly can, in general, fit many sizes properly. This fastening can hold approximately several times the average body weight, yet release easily when the exercise is over.

Weightlifting belts and dip belts are currently sold separately as distinct items. This applicant's convertible belt described in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,549,813 constitutes a first step in developing a belt with dual purpose: weightlifting and dipping.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the weightlifting and dip belts that exist on the market, and of the applicant's previous design of a similar item, there is a need for an improved belt which eliminates, or at least alleviates the disadvantages of known belts.

An objective of the present invention is to develop a hybrid belt assembly using a cloth material, rather than leather.

Another objective of the present invention is to develop a hybrid belt assembly fully and continuously adjustable.

A further objective of the present invention is to develop a hybrid belt assembly which allows, when used as a dip belt, an easy and quick attachment of a load.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to develop a hybrid belt assembly, wherein the generated tensions due to the action of the tightening forces when the former is used as a lifting belt, or due to loads while it is used as a dip belt, are not applied directly to the stitching but rather indirectly via a folded web material of the belt.

A last objective of the present invention is to develop a hybrid belt assembly wherein use is made of a chain-load subassembly without securing features attached to it.

Broadly stating, the hybrid belt assembly, according to the present invention comprises

-   -   a subassembly for supporting;     -   a subassembly for holding, aligned with and superposed on the         subassembly for supporting, the subassemblies for supporting and         holding having a common longitudinal axis of symmetry;     -   a subassembly for buckling disposed closely to one extremity of         the subassembly for supporting;     -   a subassembly for hooking disposed closely to another extremity         of the subassembly for supporting;     -   a first subassembly for self-engaging of loop-and-hook type         comprising a first strap having an array selected from either         loop or hook elements and having a length that is, generally,         one-half the length of the subassembly for supporting and being         superposed on the subassembly for holding and starting in         proximity of the subassembly for hooking;     -   a second subassembly for self-engaging of loop-and-hook type         comprising a second strap having an array selected from either         loop or hook elements; the first subassembly for self-engaging         of loop-and-hook type having, in order to achieve a         self-engagement, its array different from the array of the         second subassembly for self-engaging of loop-and-hook type;     -   the second subassembly for self-engaging of loop-and-hook type         being equal in width and length to the first subassembly for         self-engaging of loop-and-hook type, and being superposed and         starting from an end of the subassembly for holding so as to be         adaptable to contact the first subassembly for self-engaging         when the hybrid belt assembly is in its working positions:         weightlifting belt and dip belt     -   a subassembly for stitching together the components of the         hybrid belt assembly; the latter being adaptable, when used as a         dip belt, to work in conjunction with a chain-load subassembly         comprising a chain compatible to be used with one or more         weight(s) and adaptable to be attached with its ends to the         subassemblies for buckling and hooking.

In one aspect, the hybrid belt assembly

-   -   the subassembly for supporting incorporates a body support made         of a flexible, non-extensible material, and has a length less         than a circumference of a user's waist;     -   the subassembly for holding includes a holding strap made also         of a flexible, non-extensible material; the holding strap         includes         -   a lower holding segment, superposed on the body support; and         -   an upper holding segment, superposed on the lower holding             segment;     -   the subassembly for buckling incorporates a buckle, rectangular         in shape;     -   the subassembly for hooking includes a snap hook;     -   an end of the lower holding segment is folded over to a length         of several inches, after being first inserted throughout the         snap hook and then folded around a leg of the latter; a         remainder of the lower holding segment is superposed on the body         support and extends toward the buckle, wherein after being         folded around a frame element of the latter, returns as a upper         holding segment, superposed on the lower holding segment toward         the snap hook and continues past it; a length of the upper         holding segment is so chosen as to accommodate a waist size         range;     -   the subassembly for stitching includes a combination of several         longitudinal stitching lines, a transversal stitching, and a         “box and X” pattern of stitching;     -   the lower and upper holding segments, together with the first         strap are sewn to the body support along their several         longitudinal stitching lines; the transversal stitching is used         in proximity of the buckle where the several longitudinal         stitching lines start extending towards the snap hook;

the end of the lower holding segment is folded over to a length of several inches, after being first inserted throughout the snap hook and then folded around the leg of the latter, is aligned and joined by the “box and X” pattern of stitching with the following successively superposed elements: a portion of the upper holding segment, and a corresponding portion of the first strap.

In another aspect, the hybrid belt assembly comprises, besides the body support, the snap hook, the buckle and the first and second subassemblies for self-engaging, all the same as in the previous aspect, a different subassembly for loading which incorporates

-   -   a single holding strap aligned with and superposed on the body         support; and     -   a holding strap section, made from the same material as the         single holding strap, but relatively shorter in length than the         latter;     -   the holding strap section is superposed on the body support and         has its ends facing the buckle, after being folded over to an         equal length on both sides by firstly inserting throughout the         snap hook and secondly by folding around a leg of the latter;     -   an end of the single holding strap is folded over to a length of         several inches, after being first inserted throughout the buckle         and then folded around a frame element of the latter;     -   a remainder of the single holding strap is superposed on the         body support, then extends toward the snap hook and continues         past it; generally an entire length of the single holding strap         is about twice the length of the body support;     -   the first strap of the subassembly for self-engaging is         generally equal in width to the single holding strap and has a         length that is, generally, one-half the length of the body         support, is superposed on the single holding strap and starts in         proximity of the snap hook;     -   the second strap of the second subassembly for self-engaging is         generally equal in size to the first strap and starts at a point         behind a tip of an end of the single holding strap, being         superposed on the latter and sewn to it;     -   the single holding strap together with the first strap of the         first subassembly for self-engaging is usually sewn together         along the several longitudinal stitching lines to the body         support;     -   the holding strap section, superposed on the body support and         has its ends facing the buckle after being folded over to an         equal length on both sides by firstly inserting throughout the         snap hook and secondly by folding around a leg of the latter,         together with a corresponding superposed portion of the single         holding strap and the body support, are aligned and joined         together by a “box and X” pattern of stitching;     -   the end of the single holding strap is folded over to a length         of several inches after being first inserted throughout the         buckle and then folded around a frame element of the latter, is         superposed on the body support and joined with the latter by a         “box and X” pattern of stitching.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the novel features of the hybrid belt assembly of the present invention are set with particularity in the appended claims, a full and complete understanding of the present invention may be had by referring to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments as subsequently described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of a first embodiment of the present invention showing the lay-out of the holding strap;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of a second embodiment of the present invention showing the lay-out of the holding straps;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a hybrid belt assembly in conjunction with a chain-load subassembly.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of a hybrid belt assembly 10 in accordance with the principles of this invention. Hybrid belt assembly 10 includes:

-   -   a flexible, non-extensible body support 100 (further in the         present disclosure called—body support 100);     -   a flexible non-extensible holding strap 105 (further called         holding strap 105), narrower than body support 100 and aligned         with and superposed on the latter; body support 100 and holding         strap 105 having a common longitudinal axis of symmetry (not         shown), holding strap 105 comprising     -   a lower holding segment 105′ superposed directly on body support         100; an upper holding segment 105″ also superposed directly for         contact on lower attachment segment 105′;     -   a buckle 110 rectangular in shape with roller and no tongues,         disposed closely to one extremity of body support 100;     -   a snap hook 115, disposed closely to an opposite extremity of         body support 100;     -   an end 117 of lower holding segment 105′ folded over to a length         of several inches, after being first inserted throughout snap         hook 115 and then folded around a leg 120 of the latter; a         remainder of lower holding segment 105″ being superposed on body         support 100 and extending toward buckle 110, wherein after being         folded around a frame element 125 of the latter, it returns as         upper holding segment 105″ superposed on lower holding segment         105′ toward snap hook 115 and then continues past it; an entire         length of upper holding segment 105″ being, in general, about         twice the length of body support 100, although any length that         accommodates a waist size range is considered suitable;     -   a first self-engaging strap 130 of loop-and-hook or Velcro® type         comprising an array of loop elements generally being equal in         width to holding strap 105 and having a length that is,         generally, one-half the length of body support 100, is         superposed on upper holding segment 105″ and starts in proximity         of snap hook 115;     -   a second self-engaging strap 130′ of loop-and-hook or Velcro®         type comprising an array of hook elements, generally equal in         size to first self-engaging strap 130 and starting at a point         behind a tip of an end 135 of upper holding segment 105″, is         superposed on the latter and sewn to it;     -   lower and upper holding segments 105′ and 105″, together with         first self-engaging strap 130, being usually sewn to body         support 100 along their several longitudinal stitching lines         140; a transversal stitching 142 is used in proximity of buckle         110 where longitudinal stitching lines 140 start extending         towards snap hook 115;     -   end 117 of lower holding segment 105′, folded over to a length         of several inches, after being first inserted throughout snap         hook 115 and then folded around leg 120 of the latter, is         aligned and joined by a “box and X” pattern of stitching 145         with the following successively superposed elements: a portion         of upper holding segment 105″ and a corresponding portion of         first self-engaging strap 130.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 a second embodiment of a hybrid belt assembly 10′ is illustrated.

Hybrid belt assembly 10′ includes the following combination:

-   -   body support 100;     -   a flexible non-extensible single holding strap 150 (further         called single holding strap 150), narrower than body support         100, is aligned with and superposed on the latter, with body         support 100 and single holding strap having a common         longitudinal axis of symmetry (not shown);     -   a holding strap section 155, made from the same or similar         material as single holding strap 150, but shorter in length than         the latter;     -   buckle 110 disposed closely to one extremity of body support         100;     -   snap hook 115 disposed closely to an opposite extremity of body         support 100; holding strap section 155 superposed on body         support 100 and having its ends facing buckle 110, after being         folded over to an equal length on both sides by firstly         inserting throughout snap hook 115 and secondly by folding         around a leg 120 of the latter, an end 160 of single holding         strap 150 folded over to a length of several inches, after being         first inserted throughout buckle 110 and then folded around a         frame element 125 of the latter; a remainder of single holding         strap 150, being superposed on body support 100 and extending         toward snap hook 115, continues past it; generally an entire         length of single holding strap 150 being about twice the length         of body support 100, although any length that accommodates a         waist size range is considered suitable;     -   first self-engaging strap 130 of loop-and-hook or Velcro® type         comprising an array of loop elements, generally being equal in         width to single holding strap 150 and having a length that is,         generally, one-half the length of body support 100, is         superposed on single holding strap 150 and starts in proximity         of snap hook 115;     -   second self-engaging strap 130′ of loop-and-hook or Velcro® type         comprising an array of hook elements, generally equal in size to         first self engaging strap 130, starts at a point behind a tip of         an end 135 of single holding strap 150, and is superposed on the         latter and sewn to it;     -   single holding strap 150, together with first self-engaging         strap 130, being usually sewn together along their several         longitudinal stitching lines 140 to body support 100;     -   holding strap section 155, superposed on body support 100 and         having its ends facing buckle 110 after being folded over to an         equal length on both sides by firstly inserting throughout snap         hook 115 and secondly by folding around a leg 120 of the latter,         together with a corresponding superposed portion of single         holding strap 150 and body support 100, are aligned and joined         together by a “box and X” pattern of stitching 145;     -   end 160 of single holding strap 150 folded over to a length of         several inches, after being first inserted throughout buckle 110         and then folded around a frame element 125 of the latter, and         being superposed on body support 100, is joined with the latter         by “box and X” pattern of stitching 145.

Describing in detail, body support 100 has a length less than a circumference of a user's waist. Preferably, body support 100 is constructed of knit polypropylene or heavy duty nylon webbing, or another equivalent material which is extremely durable. Each of four corners of body support 100 are angle cut, and to prevent the fraying of the latter, its entire periphery is provided with a contour stitch 165. Alternatively, body support 100 can be provided without angle cutting. Also, the prevention of perimeter fraying of body support 100 can be obtained by other various means, for example, by applying appropriate heat.

Holding straps 105, 150 and 155 are generally of nylon or equivalent webbing material. Nylon thread is usually used for affixing together the components of hybrid belt assemblies 10 and 10′. Obviously, other conventional and equivalent affixing methods can be employed. Both above described embodiments are adapted to be used in conjunction with a chain-load subassembly 170 (see FIG. 5). The latter includes a chain 175 of annular chrome rings and a weight 180.

When hybrid belt assemblies 10 and 10′ are used as dip belts, snap hook 115 is opened and a conveniently chosen annular chrome ring of one end of chain 175 is secured to the latter.

Another end of chain 175 is passed through a hole 185 in the center of weight 180, then through buckle 110, to be eventually secured with another conveniently chosen annular chrome ring to the same snap hook 115. During the use as a dip belt, hybrid belt assembly 10 or 10′ sits on the hips of a user, with both ends of chain 175 secured to snap hook 115, and with weight 180 suspended between a user's legs. The working length of chain 175 can be adjusted by selecting a convenient annular chrome ring at either or both ends of chain 175. The fact that chain 175 is not provided with securing features at its ends means it will not be obstructed as it passes through hole 185 in the center of weight 180.

When hybrid belt assemblies 10 and 10′ are used as weightlifting belts, the loose end of upper holding strap 105″ or the loose end of single holding strap 150 is inserted through buckle 110, folded body and then tightened, after which self-engaging straps 130 and 130′ are superposed for contacting each other.

When hybrid belt assemblies 10 or 10′ are used as dip belts, the loose end of upper holding strap 105″ or the loose end of single holding strap 150, without being inserted through buckle 110, is folded body so self-engaging straps 130 and 130′ are superposed for contacting each other.

It is to be understood, that alternatively to buckle 110, other conventional devices for buckling such as interacting, positionally adjustable buckles, or other types of devices for attaching and adjusting the working length of belts can be envisaged.

It is also to be understood that alternatively to snap hook 115, which is used in both of the above preferred embodiments, other conventional and/or equivalent devices such as a D or O-ring can be used. In this case, chain 175 is provided with at least one hooking feature. When chain 175 is provided at each end with a hooking feature, one hooking feature can be attached to buckle 110, with the other hooking feature, to snap hook 115; alternatively, other methods of attaching both ends of the chain can be contemplated.

It is also to be understood that alternatively to stitching, any other conventional or equivalent means can be used for securing the components of hybrid belt assemblies 10 and 10′.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in other forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching ones skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 

1. A hybrid belt assembly comprising means for supporting; means for holding, aligned with and superposed on said means for supporting, said means for supporting and said means for holding having a common longitudinal axis of symmetry; means for buckling disposed closely to one extremity of said means for supporting; means for hooking disposed closely to another extremity of said means for supporting; first means for self-engaging of loop-and-hook type comprising a first strap having an array selected from the group consisting of loop and hook elements and having a length that is, generally, one-half the length of said means for supporting and being superposed on said means for holding and starting in proximity of said means for hooking; second means for self-engaging of loop-and-hook type comprising a second strap having an array also selected from the group consisting of loop and hook elements; said first means for self-engaging of loop-and-hook type having, in order to achieve a self-engagement, its array different from said array of said second means for self-engaging of loop-and-hook type; said second means for self-engaging of loop-and-hook type being equal in width and length to said first means for self-engaging of loop-and-hook type, and being superposed and starting from an end of said means for holding so as to be adaptable to contact said first means for self-engaging when said hybrid belt assembly is in its working positions: weightlifting belt and dip belt means for stitching together the components of said hybrid belt assembly; said hybrid belt assembly being adaptable, when used as a dip belt, to work in conjunction with a chain-load subassembly comprising means for chaining compatible to be used with one or more weight(s) and adaptable to be attached with its ends to said means for buckling and hooking.
 2. The hybrid belt assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for supporting incorporates a body support made of a flexible, non-extensible material, and has a length less than a circumference of a user's waist; said means for holding includes a holding strap made also of a flexible, non-extensible material; said holding strap comprising a lower holding segment, superposed on said body support; and an upper holding segment, superposed on said lower holding segment; said means for buckling incorporates a buckle, rectangular in shape; said means for hooking includes a snap hook; an end of said lower holding segment being folded over to a length of several inches, after being first inserted throughout said snap hook and then folded around a leg of the latter; a remainder of said lower holding segment being superposed on said body support and extending toward said buckle, wherein after being folded around a frame element of the latter, returns as said upper holding segment, superposed on said lower holding segment toward said snap hook and continues past it; a length of said upper holding segment being so chosen as to accommodate a waist size range; said means for stitching including a combination of several longitudinal stitching lines, a transversal stitching, and a “box and X” pattern of stitching; said lower and upper holding segments, together with said first strap being sewn to said body support along their several longitudinal stitching lines; said transversal stitching being used in proximity of said buckle where said several longitudinal stitching lines start extending towards said snap hook; said end of said lower holding segment folded over to a length of several inches, after being first inserted throughout said snap hook and then folded around said leg of the latter, is aligned and joined by said “box and X” pattern of stitching with the following successively superposed elements: a portion of said upper holding segment, and a corresponding portion of said first strap.
 3. The hybrid belt assembly, as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for supporting incorporates a body support made of a flexible, non-extensible material, and has a length less than a circumference of a user's waist; said means for holding includes a holding strap made also of a flexible, non-extensible material; said holding strap comprising a single holding strap aligned with and superposed on said body support; and a holding strap section, made from the same material as said single holding strap, but relatively shorter in length than the latter; said means for buckling incorporates a buckle rectangular in shape; said means for hooking incorporates a snap hook; said holding strap section is superposed on said body support and has its ends facing said buckle, after being folded over to an equal length on both sides by firstly inserting throughout said snap hook and secondly by folding around a leg of the latter; an end of said single holding strap is folded over to a length of several inches, after being first inserted throughout said buckle and then folded around a frame element of the latter; a remainder of said single holding strap is superposed on said body support, then extends toward said snap hook and continues past it; generally an entire length of said single holding strap is about twice the length of said body support; said first strap is generally equal in width to said single holding strap and has a length that is, generally, one-half the length of said body support, is superposed on said single holding strap and starts in proximity of said snap hook; said second strap of loop-and-hook type is generally equal in size to said first strap and starts at a point behind a tip of an end of said single holding strap and being superposed on the latter and sewn to it; said single holding strap together with said first strap is usually sewn together along said several longitudinal stitching lines to said body support; said holding strap section, superposed on said body support and has its ends facing said buckle after being folded over to an equal length on both sides by firstly inserting throughout said snap hook and secondly by folding around a leg of the latter, together with a corresponding superposed portion of said single holding strap and said body support, are aligned and joined together by a “box and X” pattern of stitching; said end of said single holding strap is folded over to a length of several inches after being first inserted throughout said buckle and then folded around a frame element of the latter, and is superposed on said body support and joined with the latter by said “box and X” pattern of stitching. 